How to Prune Evergreen Shrubs and Juniper Trees

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Juniper trees (Juniper spp.) are coniferous evergreens that grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. Junipers and other evergreen shrubs should be pruned in early spring, before new growth starts. Light pruning can also be done in early summer if necessary. Use tools such as pruning saws or shears rather than hedge clippers, unless the evergreen shrub is growing as a square hedge, in which case clippers can cut larger areas at one time.

1

Remove dead, damaged or diseased branches first. Cut dead branches back to the base, making the cut just outside the branch collar. Use a pruning saw for branches thicker than three-quarters of an inch in diameter.

2

Cut damaged or diseased branches back at least 4 inches into healthy wood. For needled evergreens, if this point is past the needled part of the branch, remove the entire branch, as it will not regrow. Otherwise, make the cut at a 45 degree angle, one-quarter inch outside a bud or lateral branch.

3

Trim the ends of branches to shape. Cut back to one-quarter inch outside a lateral branch, bud or leaf node at the desired length to encourage new growth. Make the shape slightly wider at the bottom of the shrub than the top, so light will reach the bottom branches.

4

Remove branches that cross over other branches or grow inward toward the center of the tree or shrub. Cut the branches back to the base. Remove the lowest branches of juniper trees if they hang on the ground.

Things You Will Need

Pruning shears

Pruning saw

Warning

Wear gloves and long sleeves when pruning to avoid scratches from needles or twigs.

About the Author

Jill Kokemuller has been writing since 2010, with work published in the "Daily Gate City." She spent six years working in a private boarding school, where her focus was English, algebra and geometry. Kokemuller is an authorized substitute teacher and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Iowa.